Unspoken Sermon
I overheard a woman at the gym the other day
saying something critical about her tummy (her
word not mine) and I thought My God, woman,
stop that! You’re in here outpacing me on most
movements, plus from what this eavesdropping
poet has heard you’ve carried three or four boys
inside you then pushed them into this world then
continued to nurse them literally and figuratively
as they’ve grown, you’ve wifed a husband and home
and no doubt organized birthdays and holidays
and summer vacations by squeezing nickels together
to make things sing, plus probably waded through
a metric ton of horny bullshit from men along the way.
You’re a queen of this earth. Your body is a temple
with a tummy holier than the bones of Saint Peter.
To speak of your flesh in that way is a blasphemy.
I could have said this out loud to her in the moment
but we were breathing all hard and sweaty which
would have made things creepy, and middle-aged
white men need to heavily self-edit our sermons
these days as our faith and works reek rotten for
we’ve preached a lot of stupid stuff then acted on it.
I suppose there’s a chance this poem will find its
way to her ears, and maybe the ears of her sisters,
hopefully heard in the spirit the poet intended.
oh yes! would that such things could be said and recieved in righteousness and goodness.
Wow!
Thank you for reminding me/us.
(You are right. Had you said that to me in person, it would not have gone well).
Keep putting words to our thoughts
Things we have all wanted to say, but our own upbringing sometimes gets in the way. I guess that is better than a punch in the nose.
Lord, have mercy. That’ll preach. Thank you.
Your words matter to me, a 58 year old mother of two adult children.
Amen
Thank you. I’m not the woman at the gym but your words speak to me.
brilliant observation and, as always, eloquntly espoused!
The unspoken was spoken and speaks.
Chuckle! Love it. I can just see you at the gym creating that poem while working out.
And how we as women need to be encouraged these Pandemic Days….especially with folks playing with guns and pointing them at our babes and firing without regard to the accountability of their doing so.
WOW! My tummy needed to hear that.. Thanks!
Thank you. Brought tears to the eyes of this mother of four grown children who often wishes her own “tummy” was flatter. There is sacredness in what we have done with our bodies and I appreciate you recognizing it. I hope the woman in the gyn somehow sees this.
You said it just right.
A gospel Word for me today from your pen to my spirit, as yesterday I was telling soul sisters how hard it is to train my battered heart to love my body. Thank you.
Thank you!
Just. Thank you. John, I am really hoping to meet you some day. Your bride, too. Thank you. I needed this today.
Thanks and I read it aloud to my husband who must listen to me complain about this 60 plus body regularly. Me, who works out three days a week, have hiked all fifty states, still wear the same size I wore to my tenth year class reunion. And until a month ago hiked 20 plus miles per month AT ALTITUDE!! And don’t get me started on toxic breast implants…. Just read my book Remarkable Journey for the full story….
Holy Batman, Robin!! This one made me weep and laugh out loud. THANK YOU. Holy crap.
Thank you, wise poet.